I am going to replace all, or at least most, of the rivets, on my new Yuketen bag, with Chicago screws, which distribute stress a lot better, especially over sometimes a full inch of leather. The real stress points (wear the handle and shoulder straps attach, I will use my leather sewing kit and waxed cotton thread to reinforce. This will not sit well with purists, but technology has vastly improved since the late 19th century. And if I am going to be running through a crowded airport trying to catch my connection, and I have the choice of either being authentic, or not having my crap strewn all over because a rivet gives, I'm not choosing the former. Of course, heavy stitching distributes stress better than anything else, and the only reason rivets were used in the first place is because mailbags were not a pricey item. There is a reason that really top quality belts, like the raised and lined belts from Equus, cost so much. It's not cheap to handstitch everything. You look at vintage soft luggage from a company like Louis Vuitton, and you'll see no screws or rivets on any soft parts, like straps, where shear is likely to be a problem

That said, the bag is beautiful for what it is. I now have 3 leather bags of varying shades of tan or brown sitting beside me. BTW, The Madly - a small company from whom I got a beautiful tote/backpack, is not using either screws or rivets instead of stitching now. I think that they greater distribution now, and prices have definitely gone up. A bag I got for $595 or so is now $650. Such is the price of success sometimes - cut corners and higher prices.

I am going to replace all, or at least most, of the rivets, on my new Yuketen bag, with Chicago screws, which distribute stress a lot better, especially over sometimes a full inch of leather. The real stress points (wear the handle and shoulder straps attach, I will use my leather sewing kit and waxed cotton thread to reinforce. This will not sit well with purists, but technology has vastly improved since the late 19th century. And if I am going to be running through a crowded airport trying to catch my connection, and I have the choice of either being authentic, or not having my crap strewn all over because a rivet gives, I'm not choosing the former. Of course, heavy stitching distributes stress better than anything else, and the only reason rivets were used in the first place is because mailbags were not a pricey item. There is a reason that really top quality belts, like the raised and lined belts from Equus, cost so much. It's not cheap to handstitch everything. You look at vintage soft luggage from a company like Louis Vuitton, and you'll see no screws or rivets on any soft parts, like straps, where shear is likely to be a problem
That said, the bag is beautiful for what it is. I now have 3 leather bags of varying shades of tan or brown sitting beside me. BTW, The Madly - a small company from whom I got a beautiful tote/backpack, is not using either screws or rivets instead of stitching now. I think that they greater distribution now, and prices have definitely gone up. A bag I got for $595 or so is now $650. Such is the price of success sometimes - cut corners and higher prices.

Looks like they've finally accepted my case and are allowing me to fill out a repayment form which takes...2-6 weeks to process. Fuck me, and that's after waiting there for hours as well as on the phone. Goddamn red tape bureaucracy bitches.

And even then, it's a toss up whether or not the gov't will accept my application, as the package was uninsured. WHERE IS MY SHIRT

Edit: It's also embarrassing to have to tell multiple gov't employees that the $175 package they lost was a single shirt, they look at me like I'm batshit insane

I usually carry 2 pieces. I will carry my trusty The Madly Deckard: http://shop.themadly.com/collections/frontpage/products/deckard-vtan
Mine is a little different from that one (mine is version 1, and imo, better made and designed) which is a tote and a backpack at the same time, and is pretty unique (and has received tons of compliments on several continents), and is remarkably functional as well as being attractive. I will also carry a side carry messenger for my laptop and random stuff. I've used a Krane Saelen, a Filson Small overnighter (essentially a field bag), and more recently, a Jean Shop washed leather briefcase. The Yuketen English bag is an addition to this. I like to have handles, which allows me to relieve pressure from my shoulders, and magazine pockets for things like my boarding passes, an actual magazine, etc... All toiletries also go in this bag, so I only ever have to open up one bag.

One a longer trip, I am boring. I will use the Deckard for my laptop, toiletries (which fit conveniently into a small zipped interior pocket), things like glasses, and an extra change of clothes, and then I have a 20" continental roll-on from Briggs&Riley, in the olive color. Boring, but dependable and durable.

For a trip that is over a week, I will carry the same as for a 1-2 day trip, and then check the roll on.

I've been thinking about getting this: http://www.master-piece.co.jp/products/12392, but I doubt that it would be as durable or functional as the Deckard. Got that for Christmas last year, and it really is an amazing bag. Before that, I hated backpacks of any sort, but that thing really changed my mind and my back thanks it.

I love that brand the Madly. I particularly like the Hemingway style. If I buy another bag, that will be it but right now I don't need a new bag since I just recently bought 2 Marc Jacobs this year

I just searched google to know more about the company and just found out that one of the 2 designers for Madly is a Filipina and the products are produced in the Philippines. cool to know, I love the Madly even more Edited by colabear - 11/5/12 at 7:45pm